Image source, Cathrin Edwards
Llewellyn, Evan and mum Cathrin waiting for the solar eclipse on 8 April
- Author, Rowenna Hoskin
- Role, BBC News
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When Evan John Griffiths came across an article about a solar eclipse happening on his birthday in a town with his name, he thought this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The teenager and his family flew 3,967 miles (6,384.37 km) from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire to Evansville, Indiana in the United States for his 17th birthday.
He was interviewed by US reporters and said he had become a bit of “a local celebrity.”
Evan said the experience had been “extraordinary”.
Image source, Cathrin Edwards
Evan John Griffiths and brother Llewellyn flew with their mum to watch the solar eclipse in Indiana, US
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon moves between the Earth and the sun, blocking some or all of the sun’s rays from reaching the Earth.
It is a cosmic event, requiring the sun, the moon and the Earth to be in just the right alignment for the moon to cast a shadow on our planet.
Evan said: “One year ago I found on the internet there was a solar eclipse on my birthday in the town that bears my name, Evansville, in America, and I thought that was such a coincidence that it could not possibly happen to anybody.
“So I forgot about it for a year ironically and then in January I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and I thought ‘God I have got to write this down’ and so I have been pestering [mum] for the last couple of weeks.
“I was amazed to see we have actually come,” he said.
His mum, Cathrin Edwards, said: “After quite a difficult time over the last year we thought it would be a major adventure to come somewhere like Evansville on this day.”
Image source, Cathrin Edwards
Evan said he had become a “local celebrity” after appearing on the news in Indiana
The family also made the news in Indiana with 14 News running a story on their experience.
Evan said they were contacted after going to collect their glasses for watching the eclipse.
“I’ve been recognised many times now, I am a local celebrity,” he said. “It’s probably the most interesting thing that’s happened to me.”
Ms Evans said: “To hear the reporters try to say Welsh words was quite fun to see them try.
“I think they reverted to either not saying Welsh place names or not saying Welsh names that were quite difficult.”
Additional reporting by Iolo Cheung.
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
